Ricardo Porcini

Hello world! Darcy here. As it's that time of year - the final preparations for the annual Melting festival - I suggested that I fill in for Jackson with writing duties and he agreed. Not that I have many nuggets of information to bestow upon you.

I should mention that the Mellowdene school system has been undergoing some reorganisation, if only because I believe the school project by Una, my eldest, helped prompt the teachers to thinking about it. I am so proud of her.

 

Her points didn't cover everything, but I get the impression that they were the trigger that highlighted actions needed on other aspects of our education system. The population growth throughout the county was a large part of it. Another building was added to the school and the Council put in a plan to engage  more teachers. These will be spread throughout the county, teaching locally but using the school as an administrative centre. Some have already started. Una can hardly believe what she achieved.

However, I've mainly been doing my newspaper work. Not so much reporting, but dealing with day-to-day tasks with my wonderful colleagues and friends. Speaking of whom, you've encountered or heard mention of Harry Hawthorn and Antonia Petite, but there is a freelance writer who provides articles to the Examiner and I think you should meet him. He is called Ricardo Porcini. He popped into the office a couple of days ago.

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"Allo, Darcy," he said upon entering. "What gives?"

 

Ricardo is a jolly chap. People like to talk with him as he genuinely has an interest in what others say. As he had - and has - a joy of travelling, meeting people and experiencing new places, he started writing about his countless holidays purely for his own enjoyment and recording his memories. He says he met someone who suggested he share his experiences, liked the idea and now it's his career. A travel writer who contributes articles with newspapers all over Sylvania. The Mellowdene Examiner is but one of them. He has even compiled and redrafted some of his writings  into best selling books.

"Oh, hi Ric," I replied, "not much this week. Have you got something for me?"

"Not this time, my mousey friend, but I thought I should let you know so that you're not holding the front page for me!"

I laughed politely, and we settled into conversation.

"I know you've been away, Ric. It's perfectly fine that you don't have an article. You're going to spend some time at your apartment?"

"Spot on. It's fun whizzing around but it's nice to relax in my own pad back at Minestrone House. Recharge, you know?"

"You're a busy guy, Ric. Go home. Flop. See a few friends."

"That's the plan. I need it."

I sensed there was something he was holding back. He didn't seem quite as jolly as usual. "Something wrong, Ric? I'm a good listener - and I don't report everything I hear in the Examiner."

He regarded me a short while before sighing. "Why not? I've just been to see my family. They don't really understand the buzz I get travelling. They don't say it out loud but I know they'd prefer it if I lived with them."

It occurred to me that I'd never asked about his family. Actually, that's not totally true. I had tried once or twice but I now realise he'd diverted the conversation elsewhere. So what had changed?

"You've never told me where your family live - where you used to live, Ric. Why is that?"

Ricardo shrugged. "It's generally easier that way. My home village is only small and the people have their own ways. Keep to themselves. It's extremely rare they get visitors and they rarely leave the place themselves. They're happy that way. I'm a little unusual in my outlook."

"Right. Where is your home village?"

"Let's just say it's isolated. You won't find Chunglewood on any map."

"Chunglewood?"

"Ah, right. Yes. Chunglewood. And I'm not saying more than that." 

"Okay..." I said, stringing out the word.

 

"I don't want you to get the impression that the people are unfriendly," he hurriedly added, "but they do like their privacy. I respect that."

"I'm not saying anything against them, Ric. Come on, we're Sylvanians."

He smiled and seemed to relax. "Sure, Darcy. I'm all in favour of that. I like socialising. That's why I travel and meet new people. It's also why I've made Mellowdene my base of operations."

"And we're glad to have you here."

"Thanks. And again I'm sorry I've not got anything for the paper."

"Don't fret. Maybe next time. Do you know where you're going next?"

"Haven't decided. I'll spend a couple of weeks here until I do. Vegetate a couple of days then go out. Eat out. Maybe have a slap up meal at The Mousehole. Might you be interested?"

"That's highly likely."

"Good. Well, I'd better go. People to see, you know."

Farewells exchanged, he was gone.

I smiled. He was back to his jolly self.

Still.

Chunglewood?

 

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